All 2 complicated - long semi-vent.....

[Lulu]

I need to get this out and try to clarify some issues I am having at work - it will probably all be a jumble, but if you have any advice I would really appreciate it....

So I have landed a position in a family business. I am to take over one part of the business so the owners can concentrate on building up the other 2 parts. I already had an issue with the rate of pay (see other thread), but I still consider myself lucky to be virtually handed this on a plate - I have the green light to run things the way I see fit. If things go well I can see myself achieving some wonderful things professionally.
Now the business has been run on a shoestring for years now thanks to some disgusting treatment by the banks (seriously, it woud break you heart what these people have been through). I have utter respect for the grit and determination my employers have shown to literally save their farm. They are good people.

I'm having trouble with the lack of formality I suppose. It's not a corporate environment (and I really like that!), so the channels for discussion and change are not really there. I organise a meeting once a week to let them know how things are going and what needs to be addressed etc etc etc but alot of the time it just ends up with them offloading their stress. It does seem better if I just go ahead and do what I need to anyway, but now is the time I need them to run with it too.
I need them to organise various things, tidy up work areas and keep them organised. I understand how tired they are at the end of the day, but I'm getting annoyed at things just being dumped everywhere. This is a small issue to some and certainly them, but the place is about to explode and they need systems in place to cope with the expansion. It also affects my lab.
The other thing - all 3 parts of the business are connected. The 3rd part needs work to get things in order too, it has fabulous potential - but J needs his butt kicked to get it there. He has been faffing around with it for 12months, he has customers already and business for the taking. This affects the lab too in the long run. I would be happy to give this part of the business my support too - it wouldn't take long, but I'm not doing it for nothing.

The main thing really is that I'm not being paid enough and I'm starting to resent it, but I'm also finding it hard to approach them about it. I don't want to end up being taken for granted, I'm going above and beyond already. I have an enormous amount of responsibility, and I have to deal with the personalities on a more intense level than if we were in an office or factory. I don't want to offend anybody, and I'm doing all of this at the same rate of pay as a casual retail assistant..

Not sure how to handle it all atm. I think I might do a formal report/letter and outline the changes I want.....Hmmm

If you managed to get this far - congratulations.. It's really been great getting this off my chest.

[Tracey]

No advice, as I just have none...
Just wishes of good luck!!!!

[Pandora]

You sound as though you are aware of what the going rate is for the work you are doing, I think its how you approach it thats different with a small/family business.
In a corporate work you'd put together a business case outlining what you do etc, market rates blah blah blah but they don't sound like the sort of people that would work with? Less formal is what I mean.

DH was (and still is but its better now) being really underpaid at his work, which is a small family run business. He his boss that he was applying for jobs elsewhere primarily becuase of his salary, and they increased it by 12% before the next fortnightly pay. No jokes.

I'd try to talk with them about it at the next meeting you organise.

[Lulu]

Thanks girls...

I've actually decided to do a full report (therefore outlining my responsibilities!), and will address the pay issue at the end. I will offer a few solutions and they can choose what works for them.
I'm a bit wrapped in it emotionally because it is a great opportunity and we can do some magical things there. I just can't survive on this rate of pay....